Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Inhibits the Survival and Axon Growth of Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Through a p38-MAPK Dependent Mechanism

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is an opioid-like neuropeptide that binds and signals through a G-protein-coupled receptor called the N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor. N/OFQ and the NOP receptor are expressed in the midbrain and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Genetic removal of the N/OFQ precursor partially protects midbrain dopaminergic neurons from 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine-induced toxicity, suggesting that endogenous N/OFQ may be detrimental to dopaminergic neurons. However, whether N/OFQ directly affects the survival and growth of dopaminergic neurons is unknown. Here, we show that N/OFQ has a detrimental effect on the survival of dopaminergic neurons and the growth of their axons in primary cultures of the E14 rat ventral mesencephalon. N/OFQ potentiates the effects of the neurotoxins 6-hydroxydopamine and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium through p38-MAPK signalling. We also show that like α-synuclein, there is a significant reduction in N/OFQ messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the midbrain of patients with Parkinson’s disease. These results demonstrate for the first time that N/OFQ is detrimental to the survival and growth of dopaminergic neurons and that its expression is altered in the midbrain of patients with Parkinson’s disease.